Protection circuit for semiconductor integrated circuit and driving method therefor

ABSTRACT

A surge protection circuit comprises a surge detection circuit  14  for detecting a surge applied to a semiconductor integrated circuit, and a protection element  15  for absorbing the surge. The protection element is connected between a signal terminal for supplying a signal to the semiconductor integrated circuit and a power source terminal for supplying a power source voltage. When the power source voltage is not larger than a voltage enough to normally operate the semiconductor integrated circuit and the surge detection circuit does not detect the surge, the protection element is set in a current limiting state. When the power source voltage is not larger than a voltage enough to normally operate the semiconductor integrated circuit and the surge detection circuit detects the surge, the protection element is set in a current non-limiting state.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a protection circuit for asemiconductor integrated circuit and a driving method therefore, and inparticular, to a protection circuit that protects a semiconductorintegrated circuit or a system comprising a plurality of semiconductorintegrated circuits against a surge, and a driving method for theprotection circuit.

2. Description of the Related Art

Environmental problem is concerned in a various field of technologythese days, and a reduction of CO2 is required for example. In suchcircumstances, a technique is required to reduce as much powerconsumption as possible in electric and electronic devices. Recentelectric and electronic devices comprises a plurality of semiconductorintegrated circuits (referred to as IC hereinafter), and for the abovepurpose to reduce power consumption, a technique in which a voltagesource is not applied to an IC which is not used is employed. In manyapplications, a controlling IC which controls the system is kept at anoperating state, whereas another IC is supplied with voltage source onlywhen needed. Supposing that the controlling IC is IC2, the another IC isIC1.

Conventionally known protection circuits for semiconductor integratedcircuits include, for example, one utilizing a PN junction diode asdisclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H05-021714 andone utilizing the snapback characteristics of MOSFETs as disclosed inJapanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-058666.

FIG. 7 illustrates conventional system connections used to applydifferent power source voltages to two ICs, IC1 and IC2. FIG. 7illustrates an example in which a PN junction diode is used as aprotection circuit.

When power sources for IC1 and IC2 are controlled by respective systems,rise timings for the power source voltages of the respective systems mayfail to coincide with each other. Then, one of the power source voltagesmay rise earlier. In this case, for example, a power source voltage Vcc1for IC1 is not applied and is at a ground potential (GND). A powersource voltage Vcc2 for IC2 has already been applied. Thus, a bufferoutput from IC2 is at a high level, that is, IC2 outputs the powersource voltage Vcc2. At this time, the power source voltage Vcc2 isapplied to a protection diode D1 for IC1. That is, a voltage of at leastseveral V is applied to the protection diode D1 in a forward direction.Thus, a current of several amperes may flow through the protection diodeD1 to thermally break down the protection diode D1. When the protectiondiode D1 is broken down, the system may fail to operate.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of system connections in which a MOSFET isused as a protection circuit for IC1. Also in this case, a similarphenomenon may occur because of a parasitic PN diode D1 present betweena back gate and a drain of the protection PMOSFET. Moreover, the flow ofthe large current may cause a PNPN structure present in a CMOS processto be latched up.

To prevent an excessive current from flowing through the protectionelement and to prevent the possible latch-up, the following measures areconventionally taken.

(1) A power source sequence applied to each IC is controlled.

(2) A series resistor is placed in a terminal to which a voltage equalto or higher than the power source voltage may be applied.

However, disadvantageously, the measure in (1) increases system costs,and the measure in (2) cannot be used for a high-speed interface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-describedproblems and to hold the ability to provide protection against a surge.

The present invention provides a protection circuit for protecting asemiconductor integrated circuit against a surge, the protection circuitincluding: a surge detection circuit for detecting the surge applied tothe semiconductor integrated circuit, and a protection element forabsorbing the surge, wherein the protection element is connected betweena signal terminal for supplying a signal to the semiconductor integratedcircuit and a power source terminal for supplying a power sourcevoltage, when the power source voltage is not larger than a voltageenough to normally operate the semiconductor integrated circuit and thesurge detection circuit does not detect the surge, the protectionelement is set in a current limiting state, and when the power sourcevoltage is not larger than a voltage enough to normally operate thesemiconductor integrated circuit and the surge detection circuit detectsthe surge, the protection element is set in a current non-limitingstate.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a driving method for aprotection circuit having a protection element arranged between a signalterminal for supplying a signal to a semiconductor integrated circuitand a power source terminal for supplying a power source voltage, theprotection element absorbing a surge applied to the semiconductorintegrated circuit, wherein when the power source voltage is not largerthan a voltage enough to normally operate the semiconductor integratedcircuit and the surge detection circuit does not detect the surge, theprotection element is set in a current limiting state, and when thepower source voltage is not larger than a voltage enough to normallyoperate the semiconductor integrated circuit and the surge detectioncircuit detects the surge, the protection element is set in a currentnon-limiting state.

The “surge” as used herein means a transient excessive voltage and atransient excessive current which are generated by static electricityand does not include a DC-based excessive voltage or current. Examplesof the surge include a human body model for which electrostaticdischarge from the human body is assumed and a machine model for whichdischarge from equipment is assumed; the models are used inelectrostatic tests.

When the present invention is applied to a system using a plurality ofICs and a plurality of power sources, the need to control a power sourcesequence is eliminated. This also eliminates the need to provide aresistor for current limiting, thereby preventing high-speed operationsfrom being hindered. Thus, the ability to provide protection against thesurge can be held.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a protectioncircuit for a semiconductor integrated circuit according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a protection circuit for a semiconductorintegrated circuit in a first example according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating a current path in theprotection circuit for the semiconductor integrated circuit in theabove-described example.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram illustrating the current path in theprotection circuit for the semiconductor integrated circuit in theabove-described example.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram illustrating the current path in theprotection circuit for the semiconductor integrated circuit in theabove-described example.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a second example of the protection circuitfor the semiconductor integrated circuit according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of system connections illustrating an example of aprotection circuit for a conventional semiconductor integrated circuit.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of system connections illustrating another exampleof a protection circuit for a conventional semiconductor integratedcircuit.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary diagram of a system comprising a protectioncircuit of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described belowin detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a protectioncircuit for a semiconductor integrated circuit according to the presentinvention.

In FIG. 1, a power source pad (which serves as a power source terminal)10 is connected to a power source (power source voltage Vcc). A GND pad12 is set to the lowest reference voltage of a system (herein, GND). Apad 11 is connected to a surge detection circuit 14 (to serve as asignal terminal).

A power source voltage detection circuit 13 is connected between thepower source pad 10 and the GND pad 12. The power source voltagedetection circuit 13 outputs a power source voltage detection signal tothe surge detection circuit 14 that detects a surge generated whenstatic electricity is applied to an internal circuit (serving as asemiconductor integrated circuit).

The surge detection circuit 14 is connected to the pad (PAD) 11, servingas the signal terminal, and outputs a surge detection signal to a powersource side protection element 15. The power source side protectionelement 15 is located between the power source pad 10 and the pad 11. AGND side protection element 16 is located between the pad 10 and a GNDpad. The power source side protection element 15 and the GND sideprotection element 16 absorb the surge applied to the internal circuit(which serves as the semiconductor integrated circuit) to protect theinternal circuit.

Example 1

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a protection circuit for a semiconductorintegrated circuit in a first example according to the presentinvention. In FIG. 2, a power source pad 10 is connected to a powersource (power source voltage Vcc). A GND pad 12 is set to the lowestreference voltage of the system (herein, GND). A pad 11 is connected toa surge detection circuit 14. Resistors are illustrated at R1, R2, R3and R4. A capacitance is illustrated at C1. NMOS transistors areillustrated at N1, N2 and N4. A PMOS transistor is illustrated at N3.

A power source voltage detection circuit 13 includes the resistors R1and R2 and the NMOS transistor N1. The surge detection circuit, whichdetects a surge, includes the capacitance C1, the resistor R3 and theNMOS transistor N2. The PMOS transistor N3 and the resistor R4 serve asa power source side protection element. The NMOS transistor N4 and theresistor R5 serve as a GND side protection element for a groundpotential.

One end of the resistor R1, provided in the power source voltagedetection circuit 13, is connected to the power source pad 10. The otherend of the resistor R1 is connected to one end of the resistor R2, theother end of which is connected to GND pad 12, and to a gate electrodeof the NMOS transistor M1. A source electrode and a back gate electrodeof the NMOS transistor M1 are connected to the GND. As described below,the voltage (power source voltage) of the power source pad 10 is dividedby the resistors R1 and R2. The resulting voltage is applied to a gateof the NMOS transistor. A voltage that turns on the NMOS transistor M1is determined by the resistance ratio of the resistors R1 and R2 and thethreshold voltage of the NMOS transistor M1. The NMOS transistor M1 isturned on to allow the detection circuit to detect that the appliedvoltage is equal to or larger than the voltage at which thesemiconductor integrated circuit operates properly.

One end of the capacitance C1, provided in the surge detection circuit14, is connected to the pad 11, to a drain electrode of the PMOStransistor N3, and to a drain electrode of the NMOS transistor N4. Asource electrode of the PMOS transistor N3 is connected to the powersource pad 10. A source electrode of the NMOS transistor N4 is connectedto the GND pad 12. The other end of the capacitance C1 is connected toone end of the resistor R3, the other end of which is connected to thepower source pad 10, to a gate electrode of the NMOS transistor N2, andto a drain electrode of the NMOS transistor M1 which is an output of thepower source voltage detection circuit 13.

A drain electrode of the NMOS transistor N2 is connected to the powersource pad 10. A back gate electrode of the NMOS transistor N2 isconnected to the GND pad 12. A source electrode of the NMOS transistorN2 is connected to one end of the resistor R4, the other end of which isconnected to the power source pad 10, to a gate electrode of the PMOStransistor N3, and to a back gate electrode of the PMOS transistor N3.

In the above-described connection relationship, an assumed state inwhich voltages are input to the pads 10 and 11 will be described inconnection with four cases.

(1) Power Source Non-Applied State in a Mounted-on-Substrate State

In FIG. 2, the GND pad 12 is at the ground potential of the system. Thepower source pad 10 is connected to a power source. A power sourcevoltage is applied to the power source pad 10 by a power source thatdrives an IC having an internal circuit and a protection circuit. As isthe case of FIG. 7, the pad (PAD) 11 is connected to a different ICdriven by a different power source.

While the power source voltage is not applied, the power source pad 10is at a GND level. At this time, when a DC voltage is applied to the pad11 by the different IC, a current flows through a parasitic diode D1formed between the drain and back gate of the PMOS transistor N3 asillustrated in FIG. 3. The current flows through the resistor R4. Thus,the value of the current is limited by the resistor R4, preventing theelement from being damaged. At this time, no current flows through theMOS transistors other than the PMOS transistor N3. Almost no currentflows between the source and drain of the PMOS transistor N3. That is,the protection element, including the resistor R4 and the PMOStransistor N3, is in a current limiting state.

(2) Power Source Applied State in the Mounted-on-Substrate State

While the power source voltage (Vcc) is being applied to the powersource pad 10, the gate potential Vgm1 of the NMOS transistor M1 is:

Vgm1=Vcc×R2/(R1+R2).

When the gate potential Vgm1 is set to at least the threshold voltage ofthe NMOS transistor M1, the NMOS transistor M1 is turned on. The gatepotential of the NMOS transistor N2 is set to the GND level. Thus, theNMOS transistor N2 is turned off. The gate electrode of the PMOStransistor N3 is connected to the power source pad 10 (power sourcevoltage Vcc) via the resistor R4. Since the power source pad 10 is setto the power source voltage (Vcc), even if the power source voltage ofthe different IC is applied to the pad 11, almost no current flowsthrough a parasitic diode of the PMOS transistor N3 or the resistor R4.Furthermore, the gate electrode of the PMOS transistor N3 is set to thepower source potential (Vcc). The gate electrode of the NMOS transistorN4 is set to the GND potential. Thus, no current flows through the PMOStransistor N3 or the NMOS transistor N4. That is, the protectionelement, including the resistor R4 and the PMOS transistor N3, is in thecurrent limiting state.

(3) State Resulting from Application of a Surge that is Positive withRespect to Vcc in a Electrostatic Test Time

Electrostatic tests are 2-terminal tests. If the tests are carried outwith respect to Vcc (with respect to the power source pad), the powersource pad 10 is set to the GND potential (0 V), and the GND pad 12 isopen. When applied to the pad 11, a surge that is positive with respectto the potential of the power source pad 10 is provided to the gateelectrode of the NMOS transistor N2 through the capacitance C1. Then,the positive surge provided to the gate electrode allows the NMOStransistor N2 to operate. The gate potential of the PMOS transistor N3is lowered to the GND to set the PMOS transistor N3 in an electriccontinuous state.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, a surge current is shunted to two paths. Oneof the paths leads through the PMOS transistor N3 to the power sourcepad 10 (potential is 0 V). The other path leads from the parasitic diodeD1 of the PMOS transistor N3 through the NMOS transistor N2 or theresistor R4 to the power source pad 10 (potential is 0 V). That is, theprotection element, including the resistor R4 and the PMOS transistorN3, is brought into a current non-limiting state. Thus, a currentgenerated by static electricity flows through the above-described path.

(4) State resulting from application of a surge that is negative withrespect to Vcc in the electrostatic test time

When a surge that is negative with respect to the power source pad 10(potential is 0 V) is applied to the pad 11, the NMOS transistor N2becomes inoperative. The negative surge is applied to the drainelectrode of the PMOS transistor N3. The negative surge applied to thedrain electrode causes breakdown between the drain and back gate of thePMOS transistor N3. The breakdown causes the PMOS transistor N3 toexhibit snapback characteristics. This allows a parasitic PNP transistorincluding a source, a back gate, and a drain to operate. Then, asillustrated in FIG. 5, a current flows from the power source pad 10 tothe pad 11. That is, the protection element, including the resistor R4and the PMOS transistor N3, is brought into the current non-limitingstate. Thus, the current generated by static electricity flows throughthe above-described path.

FIG. 9 is an abstract diagram showing a system comprising ICs withdifferent voltage source. The protection circuit as described above isapplied to the system.

When IC1 is at the mounted-on-substrate state, ESD surge is not appliedto the input of IC1, so the path for a DC current when the voltagesource of IC2 is turned on prior to that of IC1 needs to be limited.This operation is the same as that in “(1) Power source non-appliedstate in a mounted-on-substrate state”.

According to the present invention, when the power source voltage is notlarger than the voltage enough to normally operate the semiconductorintegrated circuit and the surge detection circuit does not detect thesurge, the protection element is set in the current limiting state. Thisbrings a current path into a high-impedance state. When the power sourcevoltage is not larger than a voltage enough to normally operate thesemiconductor integrated circuit and the surge detection circuit detectsthe surge, the protection element is set in the current non-limitingstate. This brings the current path into a low-impedance state. Thus,the current flowing through the protection circuit can be controlled.

Example 2

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a second example of the protection circuitfor the semiconductor integrated circuit according to the presentinvention.

In FIG. 6, a power source voltage detection circuit 13 includes aresistor R6, a resistor R7 and a PMOS transistor N5. A back gate of thePMOS transistor N5 is connected to a power source pad 10. The powersource voltage detection circuit 13 in the present example differs fromthat in the first example in that the MOS transistor provided in thepower source voltage detection circuit 13 in the present example is aPMOS transistor.

A surge detection circuit 14 includes a capacitance C2, a resistor R9and an NMOS transistor N6. In the present example, the surge detectioncircuit is provided between a pad 11 and a GND pad 12. A PMOS transistorN7 and a resistor R10 serve as a power source side protection element.An NMOS transistor N8 and a resistor R11 serve as a GND side protectionelement. A back gate of the PMOS transistor N7 is not connected to agate thereof but to the power source pad 10 via the resistor R10.However, the back gate may be connected to the gate electrode of thePMOS transistor N7 as is the case with Example 1.

The operation of a protection circuit in the present example is similarto that in Example 1 as described below.

(1) Power Source Non-Applied State in the Mounted-on-Substrate State

As is the case with Example 1 described with reference to FIG. 2, theparasitic diode of the PMOS transistor N7 brings the protection elementinto the current limiting state.

(2) Power Source Applied State in the Mounted-on-Substrate State

While the power source voltage (Vcc) is being applied to the powersource pad 10, the gate potential Vgm5 of the PMOS transistor N5 is:

Vgm5=Vcc×R7/(R6+R7).

When the gate potential Vgm5 is set to at least the threshold voltage ofthe PMOS transistor N5, the NMOS transistor N5 is turned on. The gatepotential of the NMOS transistor N6 is set to the GND level. Thus, theNMOS transistor N6 is turned off. Thus, as is the case with the firstexample, no current flows through the PMOS transistor N7 or the NMOStransistor N8.

Furthermore, almost no current flows through a parasitic diode of thePMOS transistor N7 or the resistor R10. That is, a protection elementincluding the resistor R10 and the PMOS transistor N7 is in the currentlimiting state.

(3) State Resulting from Application of a Surge that is Positive withRespect to Vcc in a Electrostatic Test Time

Electrostatic tests are 2-terminal tests. If the tests are carried outwith respect to Vcc (with respect to the power source pad), the powersource pad 10 is set to the GND potential, and the GND pad 12 is open.

When applied to the pad 11, a surge that is positive with respect to thepotential of the power source pad 10 is provided to the gate of the NMOStransistor N6 through the capacitance C2. Then, the positive surgeprovided to the gate allows the NMOS transistor N6 to operate. The gatepotential of the PMOS transistor N7 is lowered to the GND to make thePMOS transistor N7 operative.

As is the case with Example 1, a surge current is shunted to two paths.One of the paths leads through the PMOS transistor N7 to the powersource pad 10 (potential is 0 V). The other path leads from theparasitic diode of the PMOS transistor N7 through the resistor R10 tothe power source pad 10 (potential is 0 V). That is, the protectionelement, including the resistor R10 and the PMOS transistor N7, isbrought into the current non-limiting state.

(4) State Resulting from Application of a Surge that is Negative withRespect to Vcc in the Electrostatic Test Time

When a surge that is negative with respect to the power source pad(potential is 0 V) is applied to the pad 11, the negative surge isapplied to the drain electrode of the PMOS transistor N7. The negativesurge applied to the drain electrode causes breakdown between the drainand back gate of the PMOS transistor N7. The breakdown causes the PMOStransistor N7 to exhibit snapback characteristics. This allows aparasitic PNP transistor including a source, a back gate, and a drain tooperate. Then, a current flows from the power source pad 10 to the pad11. That is, the protection element, including the resistor R10 and thePMOS transistor N7, is brought into the current non-limiting state.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application Nos.2008-130828, filed May 19, 2008 and 2009-109392, filed Apr. 28, 2009,which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

1. A protection circuit for protecting a semiconductor integratedcircuit against a surge comprising: a surge detecting circuit fordetecting the surge applied to the semiconductor integrated circuit; aprotecting circuit for absorbing the surge, wherein the protectingcircuit is connected between a signal terminal for supplying a signal tothe semiconductor integrated circuit and a power source terminal forsupplying a power source voltage, and when the power source voltage isnot larger than a voltage enough to normally operate the semiconductorintegrated circuit and the surge detecting circuit does not detect thesurge, the protecting circuit is set at a current limiting state, andwhen the power source voltage is not larger than a voltage enough tonormally operate the semiconductor integrated circuit and the surgedetecting circuit detects the surge, the protecting circuit is set at acurrent non-limiting state.
 2. The protection circuit according to claim1, further comprising a power source voltage detection circuit fordetecting the power source voltage applied to the semiconductorintegrated circuit, and when the power source voltage detection circuitdetects that the power source voltage is not lower than a voltage enoughto normally operate the semiconductor integrated circuit, a power sourcevoltage detection signal is output to the surge detecting circuit, toset the surge detecting circuit at a non-detecting state, such that thesurge detecting circuit sets the protection element at a currentlimiting state.
 3. The protection circuit according to claim 1 or 2,wherein the protection element comprises a PMOS transistor having adrain connected to the signal terminal and a source connected to thepower source terminal, and having its gate and its back gate commonlyconnected, and a resistor having one terminal connected to the powersource terminal and the other terminal connected to the gate of the PMOStransistor and to an output of the surge detection circuit.
 4. A systemcomprising a first semiconductor integrated circuit, a secondsemiconductor integrated circuit having a signal input from the firstsemiconductor integrated circuit, and the second semiconductorintegrated circuit comprising the protection circuit according toclaim
 1. 5. A driving method of a protecting circuit for absorbing asurge applied to the semiconductor integrated circuit, wherein theprotecting circuit is arranged between a signal terminal for supplying asignal to a semiconductor integrated circuit and a power source terminalfor supplying a power source voltage, wherein when the power sourcevoltage is not larger than a voltage enough to normally operate thesemiconductor integrated circuit and the surge detecting circuit doesnot detect the surge, the protecting circuit is set at a currentlimiting state, and when the power source voltage is not larger than avoltage enough to normally operate the semiconductor integrated circuitand the surge detecting circuit detects the surge, the protectingcircuit is set at a current non-limiting state.